Linear and nonlinear optical properties of α-K2Hg3Ge2S8 and α-K2Hg3Sn2S8 compounds

Abstract The linear and nonlinear optical properties of α-K2Hg3Ge2S8 and α-K2Hg3Sn2S8 compounds are performed using the first-principles calculations. Particularly, we appraised the optical dielectric function and the second-harmonic generation (SHG) response. We have analyzed the linear optical properties, i.e. the real and imaginary part of the dielectric tensor, the reflectivity, refractive index, extension coefficient and energy loss function. The linear optical properties show a considerable anisotropy which is important for SHG as it is defined by the phase-matching condition. The scrutiny of the roles of diverse transitions to the SHG coefficients demonstrates that the virtual electron process is foremost. The features in the spectra of χ 322 ( 2 ) ( ω ) are successfully interrelated with the character of the linear dielectric function e(ω) in terms of single-photon and two-photon resonances. In additional, we have calculated the first hyperpolarizability, βijk, for the dominant component at the static limit for the for α-K2Hg3Ge2S8 and α-K2Hg3Sn2S8 compounds. The calculated values of β322(ω) are 2.28 × 10−30 esu for α-K2Hg3Ge2S8 and 3.69 × 10−30 esu for α-K2Hg3Sn2S8.